Great question — giving dogs bones can be super rewarding for them, but there are some safety things to keep in mind. The short answer is: yes, you can give your dogs raw bones from the grocery store, but it depends on the type of bone and how you handle it. Here’s a quick breakdown: ✅ Raw Bones That Are Generally Safe: Raw beef bones (like marrow bones, knuckle bones, or femur bones) Raw lamb bones Raw turkey or chicken necks and wings (only if you’re confident your dog chews well and doesn’t gulp) 👉 These should be large enough …

So you think your dog is smart? I think he IS…CHECK THIS OUT!!! He can learn a LOT of WORDS!!! For instance, toddlers can write, memorize, draw, and solve problems. They even can count to a certain number. In retriever trials, which is interesting with the Labrador, the minimum number of items. A dog must be able to count to do well is –three. This is so he can remember how many ducks have fallen, in what order, and where they are. Isn’t that cool? Once we accept that we can compare our dog’s mind to that of a two …

How smart is your lab? If you base it on social media, you’d think they’re extremely intelligent. They seem to be the equivalent of four-footed humans in fur coats, at least sometimes. Research of late has done a lot of looking into the phenomenon behind the higher mental abilities in dogs. Pavlov only studied simple reflexes. Perhaps one breakthrough when it comes to the cognitive abilities of our dogs, came around in the 1990s. At that time, I was reading a lot of books about dogs and their abilities to process things themselves and also react socially to other environmental …

*How to Stop Your Dog from Counter Surfing** Countersurfing is a common issue where dogs help themselves to food or items on countertops. Here’s how to curb this behavior: **Manage the Environment:** Keep counters clear of food and tempting items to eliminate opportunities for countersurfing. NEVER EVER, EVER FEED YOUR DOG FOOD FROM THE TABLE OR YOUR PLATE! (this implies to your dog that your food is his food–and will sneak to get it when you aren’t looking!) (It’s important that one dog does not teach another bad tricks too!) **Teach “Off” or “Leave It”:** (if your dog is already …

Well, the answer is NO… Marley was NOT an Endless Mt. Labrador.  But many have heard that we have a connection to the story of “Marley and Me”, and that is true. In the book, Marley and Me, John Grogan referenced our website when he researched the difference between English and American Labs… Reputable breeders vs. Backyard breeders.  Of course this was AFTER he already had Marley! He quoted my whole introduction “about us” page online, at the time, explaining the difference in temperament between English and American Labs. They actually used a rescue dog for the part of Marley …

So you want a puppy? Should you adopt From a breeder? What do you need to know before you start your quest?  What are the pitfalls to avoid? Also:  You’ve found the perfect “furbaby,” now what? Discover the best way to navigate the waters of welcoming a new canine family member. The information in Insider Secrets to Adopting the Right Dog allows you to experience a smooth, peaceful transition for you and your new addition. Insider Secrets includes sections on puppy training, how to choose a breeder, how to choose an individual dog, how to house-train, and socialize your new …

“My dog has never enjoyed being left alone and has had a tendency to whine and make a fuss when I leave the house, but over the last year, her anxiety seems to have become unmanageable for her. I often come home to find that she’s destroyed some thing, chewed a cushion or shoes to pieces. I get an almost hysterical welcome when I come in. She doesn’t have to be left a lot, because I work at home, so my absences tend to be for two or three hours in the evening. Can I make things easier for her …

Some adolescent dogs become much more assertive in behavior and become a little more difficult to manage when they hit bout the eight month point. I always warn people that puppies go through an “adolescent phase” somewhere between 8- 18 months old. At those periods a time it becomes necessary to review all of your past training and reinforce it. Maybe a little more assertively. What we’re not prepared for sometimes is the assaults on visitors legs… Or your own  (I have my own story on this!). Of course your male dog knows there’s no female dogs, so why does …

I had a friend who said that their dog has always been rather barky and excitable at the front door, but recently he’s been nearly unmanageable when someone calls. He’ll barge in front of them, bark and jump at visitors, and generally be a menace. Worse, although his excitement is mercifully, good tempered, the noise levels and his pushiness mean that some of our less animal friendly visitors are becoming frightened of him. Why does he do this? And how can they get him to behave like a civilized member of the household? BUT–they gave me this WONDERFUL training method …

How do I get my dog to stop barking annoyingly?  There are multiple reasons why a dog barks. Dog’s may bark because they’re curious, warning others of danger, prompting you to play and to discipline the young. These forms of barking are short-lived. They talk while playing. They talk to each other—not in English (oh how we wish!) but they do! I bet your Labrador even has his own “voice!” Right? Reasons why dogs may bark excessively:           Physical needs This can mean they’re; hot, cold, hungry, thirsty or lacking in exercise, or even attention. When a …

Try to teach him something new. Keep a basket of chew toys on every level and rotate them often. Hide new toys underneath the old toys and let him discover them. Make sure his chew toys are enticing and remember to switch them up often so they are new and interesting. I hope nobody sits around and watches their dog destroy potentially dangerous property knowing it can harm them. I’ve made suggestions to keep the dogs in their crates when away for hours in case your dog gets bored and destructive. It’s impossible to protect them all the time from …

Many pets get these fatty lumps and bumps as they age. In this new ‘episode’ we’ll be discussing why pets get fat deposits and what you can do to prevent it from happening. I know, those unsightly lumps and bumps can sometimes be common in some Labrador lines, and are referred to as lipomas. Just like with humans, we carry genetics that do weird things. Most are not cancerous, and are harmless as long as they are not impeding the movement of the dog (such as a foreleg, ie), or near the spine. Most vets are hesitant to take them …

One thing every dog owner hates is picking up a slimy poop on the sidewalk or a watery mess–even worse–ANYWHERE….right??? You pay a lot for an EML and benefit from 4 decades of careful breeding and screening of my bloodlines… the last thing I want is for your food choice to degrade the health and wellbeing (physically and emotionally) of your pet and your family. Professionals make professional recommendations. So for the long-term health of your pet at all stages we require a pet food of our choice (as well as treats and supplement) to ensure that it’s the best …

PROPOLYNE GLYCOL in pet foods causes destruction of red blood cells, cancerous growth, seizures, anxiety, and more. (Educate you and your VET!) Propylene gycol, found in Nestle Purina’s BENEFUL food as well as numerous other dry dog food brands (check your label! And may be hidden as other ‘glycols’) -also used as automotive antifreeze- causes destruction of red blood cells and is one of the most poisonous substances found REGULARLY in pet foods– canine veterinarians and nutritionists are starteld!!! AND may add to the growth of cancerous lesions (considering it causes waxy build up in your Lab’s body, you can …

What with all the recalls, warnings, and seizures regarding Rx flea/tick meds, we get so many requests about what people can do naturally, effectively, and won’t break their banks! Plus, don’t you freak out when your kid buries his face RIGHT in the spot you put the flea/tick treatment? Ugh. I know… Fleas, ticks, and internal parasites are some of the many enemies you sign up for when being a pet owner. There are multiple flea and tick preventatives out there, but as always here, we like to try a holistic approach if available… Diatomaceous Earth is a product that …

Want a smarter, more empathetic, possibly healthier child at ALL ages? It may come as no surprise that having a family dog can benefit your child’s emotional intelligence, confidence, and empathy. And so much more. Here are seven ways kids who have a pet in the home have a leg up on those who don’t: They have higher self-esteem When given tasks to complete, such as helping with the care of a pet, kids show an improvement in self-esteem. The tasks should be age-appropriate, though, the authors say, such as allowing a 3-year-old who is too young to walk a dog put the water …

vc_rowvc_column/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text What’s Your Favorite Color Lab? /vc_column_textvc_empty_spacevc_column_textThe Labrador Retriever breed comes in three recognized colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. The yellow can range from a light creamy color to a toasty typical yellow coat, to a reddish tone many call “fox red”. But still, these different shades still fall under a yellow coat. Yellows should have a black pigment around their eyes and nose. Chocolate may range from light to dark (though a nice dark chocolate coat is the proper chocolate coat) with liver pigment around the nose and eyes. And then of course, the original… the black Labrador./vc_column_text/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_single_image image=”12897″/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textWe …

We independently researched  and evaluated all recommended products and services.  As you read you will find the right product for YOUR dog and YOUR use! There’s no worse feeling than when your dog goes missing — something celebrities like Paris Hilton have even experienced. If you worry about your furry friend wandering off, you can give yourself peace of mind by outfitting them with a GPS tracker. The best dog GPS trackers provide real-time location updates directly to your phone, allowing you to quickly find your pet and bring them home safely if they wander out of your yard or …

You say, “That’s not possible.” And after almost 4 decades of having Labrador pups around almost all the time, I can 100% tell you, IF you correct your puppy on the way home (1-12 hours for most–day # 1) the way we tell you, for the first day, (Use this link for technique) there should be no jumping or biting after that. Still sound impossible? Well, I’m a small person. I have thin skin (literally!) and I can’t be bleeding or be knocked over (I have back problems already) so my decision when I train a Lab pup is:  biting …

Alternative to more expensive forms of raw diet for dogs–we’ve had a lot of calls asking for an alternative to BARF raw patties so I’ve compiled info for you below! –and this whole month (February) its 50% off!!!!!! We have been proponents and educators of raw feeding for almost 2 decades, and you can read our blogs to find out all about it and how it can benefit your dog.  We all enjoy the benefits of: real food, no gmo’s, no fillers, no artificial colors/preservatives, no smelly kibble poops, and the amazing ‘no shedding’ that raw is best known for. …

Labradors, like most breeds, inevitably shed their coats once or twice a year, during the major season changes. If they are shedding excessively and continuously, however, it is likely due to one of two reasons: poor nutrition or stress. BUT I have many, many insider secrets I’ve learned over the past 30 years from other breeders and show handlers that I’d love to share with you. You WON’T hear these tips anywhere else…so please read…and share…and put down that vacuum cleaner!!! Preventing Excessive Shedding The first thing you need is the right tools. Now, many of you have a dog shedding …

Sometimes we are surprised when somebody approaches us or walks in our house with a hat, and our dogs bark at them. This happens quite frequently in our home because my husband doesn’t wear a hat. Ever.  So when my Labradors see a man and a hat they bark, I think, because they’re not used to it, and they may even think the person’s head is deformed or something (LOL?). Sometimes we wish we could peer inside their brains and just know what they feel and think, but we can only guess and make wise theories from observations and science. …

No matter whether you have a purebred or a mixed breed dog, many of you have ones that like to chase things small and furry, even if they’re not fast enough to catch them. What we may notice most is that whenever they see something in the distance they may like to chase, they pause, or in doing so, may “freeze” in position and lift one paw, just like a trained hunting dog. Is this instinctual behavior for a Labrador or is it some kind of indicator of his breeding? Some dogs even lower their front body into what we …

 While breeding purebred dogs has been the focus of our lives, we also love ALL dogs and animals, and in fact, we (Jonathan and Donna) are very involved with dog legislation in their state, even being involved at the Capitol, talking with lawmakers and advising committee members and lawmakers. We’ve owned rescue dogs ourselves. Along the way, sadly, we have found some disturbing facts that made us get more involved. THIS made us lose sleep at night. If you truly believe “ALL DOGS MATTER” please keep reading:  THESE RESCUES ARE NOT REGULATED. What that means for people adopting from a …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textThis post is a day late, but really every day around here is Labrador Retriever Day, right? We really cherish our EML families and loved seeing extra pup posts in our Facebook group yesterday! They were so smile inducing that we thought we’d share some of that joy here! :)/vc_column_textvc_empty_space/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_gallery images=”15077,15076,15075,15074,15073,15072,15071,15070,15069,15068,15067,15065,15064,15063,15062,15058,15061,15060,15059,15057,15078,15066″/vc_column/vc_row

I’ve been hesitant to write this article as so many people have and love their doodles, but I get asked a lot what the difference is. In order to discover this, I had to ask the EXPERTS (not the backyard breeder or puppy mill just making a buck and not at all concerned with genetics) This statement caught my eye and made me look further. Apparently, the man who “invented” the labradoodle now feels he’s made a terrible mistake, and regrets ever creating the breed. The reason given is basically due to the overwhelming popularity of having a dog with …

If you’ve ever had a dog run away or even worse, stolen, then you know the heartache that comes with that feels beyond repair… I’m sure any pet owner would agree that it is certainly as hard as losing your own child. There are more and more reports of stolen dogs, especially purebreds, and also commonly in urban areas. Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn and many people strapped for money, dog thefts, and more so, purebred dog thefts, are on the rise, especially the ones that are most popular at the top of the AKC highest registration list, such …

DOES YOUR PET SHAMPOO CONTAIN THESE CHEMICALS • D-trans Allethrin – from a class of synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids, derived from natural chemicals found in chrysanthemums. Synthetic varieties are significantly more potent and persistent than naturally-occurring products and can cause allergic responses. Also a suspected endocrine system disruptor. Veterinarians caution against using pyrethroid-containing products if there are cats in the home. • Resmethrin – also from the chemical class called pyrethroids. Very toxic to cats; should not be used in a household with cats. • Pyriproxyfen and S-Methoprene – Considered relatively safe with low toxicity. However, data is lacking about …

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!  To be a lab that is… Labradors LOVE the snow!  They will play, play, play all day long in this fluffy white stuff if you let them! With that thick undercoat–they are insulated unlike most dog breeds, for frigid weather, but there are still precations. It can be TOO cold for your labby to be outside occasionally–and to prevent frost bite to exposed skin… and there are certain safety standards you should always follow in the wintertime. Water supply Make sure your lab ALWAYS has access to drinking water while spending time …

Hartford Animal Hospital ***Note: “Veterinary conference almost over so I will be heading home and back to work tomorrow. Sorry but I won’t be able to answer any more questions, but I refer you to the Tufts Vet Nutrition website! At a cardiology conference this morning I learned that the nutritional information I have been giving my clients is accurate. Nothing new was revealed, but it is important to ensure that my information is correct. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a potentially fatal heart disease, has been occurring/recognized in low-risk breeds of dog since 2015. It was discovered that many of …